Post-Op Instructions

Post Operative Instructions & Home Care Following Surgery

Bleeding

It is normal for the saliva to be streaked with blood for a day or more following oral surgery, if frank bleeding is present, fold gauze into a firm wad and place it directly on the bleeding area. Maintain firm pressure by biting for 20 minutes. Some bleeding or oozing up to 24 hrs after oral surgery is common. However, you can minimize this by:

1. Keeping your head elevated, using several pillows when asleep.
2. Firmly biting on moist gauze for at least one hour after surgery or until mast oozing stops.
3. Limiting physical activity for the first day after surgery.
4. For persistent minor bleeding (over 6 hours) biting on a tea bag will help. Gauze may be substituted because a tea bag has tannic acid which causes a clotting effect.

Swelling

Some swelling occurs after most oral surgery and especially after wisdom teeth surgery. The amount of swelling is usually proportionate to the surgery performed and reaches its maximum in about 48 hours and diminishes. A small amount of residual swelling may persist a week or more after surgery. However, if swelling increases after that or is accompanied by drainage, please contact us for examination.

You can minimize swelling by:

1. Keeping your head elevated, especially when sleeping.
2. Using ice or cold packs on the face adjacent to the surgery site during the first 12 hours after surgery (alternating 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). After that cold will not be helpful.

Pain

Post-operative soreness or pain is common after oral surgery. In most instances it reaches a peak within the first 24 hours after surgery, then diminishes. Normally you will be given either a prescription for pain medication or specific recommendations for non-prescription drug use.

Please follow those instructions and if the discomfort is not adequately controlled, then please contact us immediately.

Diet

After initial bleeding stops, It is important to maintain good nutrition following surgery. Eat a lukewarm soft diet on the day of surgery. For example, it is best to ingest clear fluids such as apple juice, or broth the first day after surgery. Thereafter, a regular diet is satisfactory, provided you do not chew food on the surgical site until healing is complete.

Drink plenty of fluids for 3 days after the surgery. If you find eat difficult to eat food during the first day after surgery, then a meal replacement shake can be substituted from your local pharmacy.

Oral Hygiene/Mouth Care

No rinsing, smoking or alcohol for 24 hours following surgery. Your surgical site must be kept clean in order to promote rapid healing and avoid infection. Starting 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth after every meal with lukewarm water containing 1 teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces water. Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After 8 hours, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.

Infection

If swelling and discomfort worsen after 48 hours along with a foul taste, fever and difficulty in swallowing the possibility of infection (dry socket) exists and it would be appropriate to contact our office for examination.

Avoid Smoking, spitting, or drinking through a straw for at least 24 hours after surgery as these habits interfere with healing.

The following conditions may occur after removal of wisdom teeth:

Pain with swelling and earaches

Difficulty opening your mouth widely

Numbness of your lip or tongue

Minor realignment of adjacent teeth

Soreness of the corners of the mouth

Bruising of your face, neck and chin

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